June 12 2017

Letter from your board through the 2017 A OK president: John Robinson (1)

Theme for 2017: Fiber is Our Harvest. Make it the best fiber possible.

We had a very successful first half of 2017 with A OK board election meeting, Dr. Norm Evans education seminar, OYE, shearing, successful participation in national shows by A OK members and now it is June.

What is in store for members in the second half of year 2017:

In a word, lots!!

June-July: Ongoing A OK show committee and board meetings to coordinate events and benefits for members. All active members and members to be are encouraged to volunteer..open door policy. Go to Alpacas of Oklahoma Website and contact a board member, better yet call a board member and volunteer to help promote our state’s Alpaca industry.

Toppriorities for board: 1. organize 2-4 annual activity/education events for members. 2. Increase the benefit to cost ratio for our A OK members. 3. Create ways to increase membership for the A OK organization. 4. Create and utilize better social/media communications with members. 5. Explore ways to use social media to enhance public awareness of our Alpaca industry in Oklahoma. 6. Build relationships with the state’s Agritourism and Made in Oklahoma initiatives. (4H included in these initiatives via OYE). 7. Ask for sponsors to help promote our industry’s education events. The more sponsors we have, the lower the cost can be for our participating members.

Top priority for hard working show committee: get the show ready to open and communicate the exciting changes in 2017 Alpaca Show and Holiday Shopping Blastoff. Members watch for e-mails and post cards with details.

September 30th: Membership meeting to be held at Greg and Lynn Summers, Greg, a new board member in 2017, and Lynn have graciously agreed to host our Saturday meeting: Pot Luck. Show kickoff. We are working on a Oklahoma Department of Agriculture representative to make a short presentation to our attending members. (Agritourism, Made in Oklahoma, and the SHOW Good Stuff!!)

October: A OK has participated in the Edmond Oklahoma WINGS Pumpkin Patch event during the past two years. Participation is pending at this time. Board members are investigating details. More later.

November 10th, 11th, 12th: It is here. The A OK Alpaca Show and Holiday Shopping Blastoff. This year at Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center, Shawnee, Oklahoma. We are excited to be back at this venue. The area offers nearby hotel accommodations, entertainment sites, more restaurant choices and EASE OF ACCESS; right off 4 lane highway 177, south of I 40. The challenge: Every member of A OK bring at least one animal for the Blastoff and invite someone you know to bring an animal. Share a stall. But come to the show!!! (let’s target level III show – 300 animals??)

A OK Board 2017

1. John Robinson 1, President

2. Sheila Robinson, Vice President

3. John Robinson 2, Treasurer

4. Al Boyce, Secretary

5. Kerry Bates, at large

6. Greg Summers, education coordinator

7. Karla Moore, at large

Special Thanks to

1. Mazuri Feed (sponsor for Dr. Norm Evans)

2. Prairie States Insurance (sponsor for Dr. Norm Evans)

3. Bobby and Diane Dickerson (sponsor for Dr. Norm Evans)

4. ALL Volunteers, board members, show committee members for the HOURS spent preparing and promoting A OK’s annual events.

Thanks to all our members who participate and share the love of the business called Alpacas. Let’s grow together.